KUCHING: Kuching City South Council (MBKS) has been lauded for its efforts in creating awareness on non-usage of plastic straws, and through its no plastic straw campaign, a total of 1,273,820 straws had been prevented from entering the city’s landfills and waterways thus far.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the no plastic straw campaign was initiated by MBKS two years ago and it was crucial in educating the public about the impact that plastic straws had on the environment.
“I also want to congratulate MBKS for being the council in Sarawak to impose the no plastic straws policy for markets and hawker centres under its jurisdiction, beginning this July.
“At the same time, with the Kuching Food Festival in August, it is also good timing, to educate more people on no plastic straw usage,” he said during the launch of the Earth Day programme organised by MBKS here today.
Dr Sim also congratulated MBKS for successfully utilising the high speed composting method at its markets, where the left-over organic wastes are turned into fertiliser, and the buy-back recycling campaign to encourage residents to exchange their recyclable items for daily household items.
“One of MBKS’ initiatives is the Takakura home composting method. It is an innovative process for composting introduced by Kitakyusyu International Techno-Cooperative Association.
“This is very important because since 2002, more than 500 tonnes of items had been recycled and such methods have proven successful and it would not take too long.”
He further said the increase in population, rapid urbanisation, booming economy, and the rise in the standard of living would definitely accelerate the rate, amount and quality of the municipal solid waste management in the next few years.
“To cope with such a prospect, it is highly desirable to manage these wastes through new feasible technologies in an eco-friendly way so that it can minimise health and environmental impacts and lead to sustainable use of resources.”
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said there was also a need to focus on wastewater management.
“Having said that, no matter what policy is in place (to tackle environmental issues), you and I must actively participate in it, otherwise it will not work.
“This is our city and let’s do this together, to take care of the Earth so that it can take care of us. Together, let’s make it a success.”
